Children, 7, want a thin body

Children as young as seven are conscious of their body size and want to be visibly thinner, a survey shows today.

Many youngsters, particularly girls inspired by slim superstars such as Geri Halliwell and Victoria Beckham, desire a body mass index below the average.

Almost half of girls said they would prefer to be thinner, compared to just over one third of boys. Psychologist Dr Helen Truby, who led the study, said: "It is surprising how many young children are aware of their body shape at such an early age.

"It was believed children didn't develop an adult ideal until puberty. But children at seven are aware whether they are satisfied with their bodies.

"It is the first time this has been measured against body mass index, and probably lends support to the idea that the cultural concept of body thinness comes quite early through media portrayals.

"So it is important a range of body types are seen as being normal and acceptable. Schools also need to be aware young children have these ideals, and boys and girls are different.

"More girls want to be thin than boys. . . boys have a tendency to want a more muscular body, not a fatter one."

The study of 312 children between the ages of seven and 12, published in the British Journal of Clinical Psychology, supports previous research suggesting body size awareness was frequent even in pre-pubescent children.

Psychologists Dr Helen Truby and Dr Susan Paxton measured the body mass index (BMI) of each of the children before photographing-them to identify their "range" of body sizes.

From these photographs a series of seven "body figures" were generated - one set each for girls and boys to represent the range of BMIs.

The children were then asked to identify which "body figure" was most like their own (perceived figure), and which one they would most like to have (ideal figure).

Dr Truby, of Surrey University, and Dr Paxton, of Melbourne University, discovered their dissatisfaction by measuring the difference between the "ideal" and "perceived" ratings.

The research showed 48 per cent of girls selected an ideal body figure thinner than their perceived figure, while 42 per cent selected the same size and 10 per cent selected a larger figure.

Of the boys, 36 per cent selected an ideal body figure thinner, 44 per cent chose the same size and 20 per cent went for larger.

Dr Truby said: "Our findings lend support to the view that children develop cultural concepts of desirable physical attributes, particularly related to body thinness, well before puberty.

"In addition, this sample was drawn from a range of socioeconomic status areas with mixed ethnic backgrounds - suggesting this body size dissatisfaction is not restricted to a narrow social background."

Dr Truby said the consequences of the findings - where children desired a thin body that was relatively unachievable for them - needed careful consideration.